Hi everyone,

I never imagined I’d be asking for help like this, but I’m reaching out with humility and hope. My long-term goal has always been to transfer to a four-year university to complete my degree, and next month I’m scheduled to begin the spring semester at CSU Chico.

For the past 13 years, I’ve worked with children, specifically neurodiverse children, providing developmental and behavioral health support. This work has shaped who I am and solidified my commitment to supporting youth, families, and the communities I serve. After years in the field, I made the intentional decision to pursue a degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

While working in behavioral health as a bilingual Registered Behavior Technician, I’m often assigned Spanish-speaking families, many of whom share how difficult it is for their child to learn and connect with therapists who don't not speak their language. These experiences deeply motivated my career path. My goal is not only to continue helping children thrive, but also to become a bilingual speech-language professional who can help bridge a critical gap in services for my community.

Earlier this year, in February, I was unexpectedly laid off, which caused a major financial setback. I had to use my savings to stay afloat, and unfortunately that put me back at square one. Despite this, I’ve worked incredibly hard over the past two years to prioritize my education. Just a few weeks ago, I earned my Associate’s Degree with a 3.87 GPA and made the Dean’s Honor Roll three times, an accomplishment I’m very proud of.

Unfortunately, I did not qualify for financial aid this year. Financial aid is determined using prior-year tax information, and mine reflects 2024, when I was still fully employed. After losing my job and relocating back to California to be closer to campus, I accepted a new position out of necessity. While I’m grateful to be working, it came with a roughly $22,000 pay cut. Because of this, my current income is far lower than what my financial aid determination reflects.

I’ve spoken directly with the financial aid department, and they explained that the only way to reassess my aid is through an appeal using my 2025 tax information, which I fully plan to submit once my taxes are done. However, I’m facing an immediate challenge: my student fees are due by January 6, and if I’m unable to pay by then, my admission will be dropped. At this moment, I simply don’t have the funds to cover those costs on my own.

Any support, whether through a donation or by sharing this fundraiser, would mean more than I can express.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting me as I work toward completing my education and continuing to serve children and families in my community.

♡